Fantasy Football Week 3: Waiver-Wire Targets Worthy of Immediate Starts

With a wave of injuries to key players around the league, fantasy football owners are left scrambling for Week 3 options.

The beginning of the week featured a lot of focus on backups like Knile Davis and Donald Brown, running backs who should get bigger roles going forward due to starters' injuries.

However, those unable to make these pickups need to find players capable of helping them in Week 3. These might not be the best long-term additions, but they will be able to provide some points on Sunday.

Note: All players are available in over 50 percent of leagues on ESPN.com.

Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington Redskins (Owned in 27.5 percent of leagues)

Robert Griffin III came into the year as the starter in Washington, but Kirk Cousins steps into the job with as much confidence and support as any backup in recent memory.

Head coach Jay Gruden explained after the win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, via Mike Wise of the Washington Post:

"

I feel like we can win any game with Kirk Cousins...Kirk is a special guy. He started four games last year and didn’t have great success, but obviously has a skill set that I feel like is very much suited for what we do. He can handle it mentally, and obviously, physically. I feel that he can make every throw in the book and we are going to move forward with Kirk.

"

It seems like Gruden feels extremely comfortable with the former fourth-round pick going forward, and Cousins will get a legitimate chance to show if he can be the franchise quarterback for the future.

While the Philadelphia Eagles have a better defense than the Jaguars, it will not be too much better with a secondary capable of giving up some big plays. It is a risky start, but a worthy one for fantasy owners in need of a player.

Matt Asiata, RB, Minnesota Vikings (Owned in 44.5 percent of leagues)

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With Adrian Peterson deactivated indefinitely, Matt Asiata becomes an immediate waiver addition in fantasy leagues.

Although he does not impress you with breakaway speed or versatility, he is an effective runner who takes everything that is given to him. In three full games as a featured back, he accumulated 24, nine and 13 fantasy points in standard leagues.

Jerick McKinnon might have more upside for the future, but he still does not have the trust of the coaching staff. Asiata had 18 touches last week compared to just four for the rookie, showing that he will at least be the go-to option for the next few weeks.

After the Saints allowed over 100 rushing yards and a touchdown to running backs in each of the first two games, Asiata has a chance for another solid performance.

Brian Quick, WR, St. Louis Rams (Owned in 30 percent of leagues)

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Although Brian Quick has failed to impress in his first two seasons with the Rams after being a second-round pick in 2012, he is finally starting to show the consistency the team has been hoping to see.

Quick has been targeted nine times in each of the first two games, racking up 14 catches for 173 yards. The passing situation is St. Louis is not ideal, but he clearly has earned Austin Davis' trust and could be a go-to option going forward.

Meanwhile, Mike Clay of Pro Football Focus notes the individual matchup should help him on Sunday:

The Dallas Cowboys have not been as bad as expected to this point, but the opportunity is there for Quick to have a big game. As long as he gets the targets, he should remain a trustworthy option in fantasy football.

Mohamed Sanu, WR, Cincinnati Bengals (Owned in 11.1 percent of leagues)

Mohamed Sanu showcased a wide variety of skills in Week 2, totaling 84 receiving yards and a touchdown to go with a 50-yard pass. While it is hard to count on the passing yardage on a weekly basis, the young player is becoming a quality receiving option in Cincinnati.

Ross Tucker of NBC Sports quotes Bengals coach Marvin Lewis in saying A.J. Green will play this week:

Even if the Pro Bowler does suit up, Sanu will become a quality secondary option who should be open while Green is double-covered. Marvin Jones played well in this role last season but is still out with a foot injury.

Against the Tennessee Titans, the Bengals should be able to move the ball easily with both the ground and air attack. Sanu should be heavily involved from start to finish and should be in line for a solid performance on Sunday.

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